The council voted unanimously to support Measure B after it passed last month, reconciling the council’s earlier 3-4 split on the issue. The city is already in the process of interviewing architects for a design committee to oversee plans for the new building. Some city officials have speculated the council’s vote has rendered Beek’s lawsuit moot in the eyes of the courts, but the activist has vowed not to drop the legal challenge.
“Measure B is still tied up in court, and city hall may well not be where we think it’s going to be,” Beek said in his plea to the council. He also railed against the large amount of money the pro-Measure B campaign spent on direct mail and phone surveys in the weeks before the election.
“Some people say that the people have spoken, but that wasn’t the people speaking; that was the money speaking,” Beek said.
Newport Beach City Atty. Robin Clauson said the council’s approval of Measure B allows it to move forward with plans for the city hall even if validity of the measure itself remains in question.
“The status of Measure B does not impact the council’s decision to build on the park site property if they so choose,” she said.
REMEMBERING GARY PROCTOR
Newport Beach Mayor Ed Selich dedicated a city council meeting to the memory of former councilman and prominent attorney Gary Proctor, who was found dead Sunday afternoon at his San Jose home in an apparent suicide.
“Gary was intelligent, fair and always informed on the issues being debated,” Selich said.
